CSX Recognizes National Merit Finalists with Scholarship Luncheon

July 17, 2024 - Each year, approximately 3.5 million students across the United States take the National Merit Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Out of these, around 1.3 million public and private high school juniors meet the program requirements to advance in this prestigious academic competition. Ultimately, about 7,140 students are named Merit Finalists during their senior year, representing the highest levels of academic achievement.
 
To honor and support these distinguished students, CSX provides $1,000 scholarships annually during their undergraduate studies, up to $4,000 per scholar, to students who are children of CSX employees and have attained the honor of being National Merit Finalists. This initiative underscores the company's commitment to education and community engagement.
 
In June, CSX hosted a special luncheon to celebrate the scholars and their families. The event brought together the students and their loved ones, representatives from their school administrations, and members of the CSX leadership team. Among the attendees was CSX President and CEO Joe Hinrichs, who delivered an inspiring keynote address to the students.
 
"CSX believes in supporting our community, and we challenge you, in your own way, to recognize that responsibility," Hinrichs told the scholars. "We are all part of a greater community, and we all have a responsibility to give back and to make that community better."
 
The luncheon served as a platform to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the National Merit Finalists, while also encouraging them to consider the broader impact they can have on their communities. The presence of school administrators and CSX leadership emphasized the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and the corporate sector in fostering academic excellence and community service.
 
During the event, the scholarship recipients expressed their gratitude for the recognition and the financial assistance provided by CSX, which will help them as they embark on their higher education journeys. For CSX, this event is both a celebration and a testament to the company's belief in the power of education and its role in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
 
The National Merit Scholarship Program has long been a benchmark for academic excellence, and with the support of companies like CSX, students are recognized for their achievements and given the encouragement and resources they need to continue their paths of success and community involvement.
 
For highlights of the CSX National Merit Scholarship Luncheon, view the video below.